What’s better then serving a healthy snack to your toddler? Having them make it themselves! This DIY Toddler Apple ‘Donut’ Party Recipe is great idea for a fun toddler party activity or even just a fun hands-on food project for just your own little tyke.

What makes this recipe fun for toddlers is that they get to do it themselves! Toddlers love making and eating their own food, or really doing anything and everything by themselves. So we are going to take advantage of their stubbornness and have them make their own snack for a change. The best part is that most toddlers are going to go crazy for this activity and eat way more then you would ever serve them. So have extra apple donuts on hand!

What makes this snack so great for you, is that this is a totally healthy snack for your little one that you can make in the matter of minutes! Also, when serving make-your-own snacks to kids in a group setting, you are promoting sharing, hand-eye coordination, manners, taking turns, social time, self-help skills and are encouraging the toddlers to try new foods. All of those skills in just one snack activity! High-five to us for being such awesome parent.

You can make this snack completely healthy with just apples donuts, cream cheese spread along with fruit, granola and other healthy toppings. Or you can add in some fun with nutella spread, mini chocolate chips and even some sprinkles. Because it’s a party, I usually do an assortment of healthy toppings and fun toppings.

Apples

The easiest way to make apple ‘donuts’ is to core the apple with this niffy apple corer tool. Next, you place the apple onto a cutting board on it’s side and then slice it into 1/4 inch thick slices. If it’s going to be awhile before you serve the apple donuts, I found that squeezing a little fresh lemon juice onto the apples immediately after slicing them helps keep them from browning. Regardless of when you slice and serve them, make sure to blot the apples with a paper towel to get any excess moisture off of the apples. This excess moisture will make it hard to spread anything on top of the apples. I would recommend having at least 3-4 slices per toddler.

Spreads

It’s great to have 2-3 different spreads for the toddlers to pick from. I found that having the spreads at room temperature helps the little ones be able to spread it on the apple donuts with more ease.

  • cream cheese (plain, flavored or colored with a couple drops of food coloring)
  • nutella (I am using Trader Joes Cocoa Almond Spread)
  • plain full-fat Greek Yogurt
  • Beech-Nut coldpress purees (any flavor you kids love)
  • ricotta cheese
  • almond or peanut butter

Toppings

Now for the fun part – the toppings! You can go crazy with the toppings or use whatever you have on hand. I like to have around 4-5 different toppings for the toddlers to pick and choose from to make their apple donuts extra special. I personally like to have some healthier options (fruit, granola, seeds) as well as some fun options (mini chocolate chips, sprinkles) for them to pick from, it is a party after all.

Here are just a few suggestions for toppings –

  • chopped berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
  • chopped fruit (kiwi, banana, pineapple, grapes, etc)
  • Beech-Nut Yogurt or Fruit & Veggie Melties
  • favorite granola
  • sprinkles
  • candy coated sesame seeds
  • mini chocolate chips
  • shredded coconut
  • chopped Beech-Nut Quinoa Crispies
  • chopped nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds)
  • hemp or sesame seeds
  • small crunchy cereal
  • dried fruit (blueberries, strawberries, apricots, raisins, cranberries, larger dried fruit will have to be chopped)

Time to Party!

Place the apples slices onto a plate and the spreads and toppings into separate bowls.

Add spoons to each of the topping bowls and kid-friendly knives (spoons also work) in the spread bowls.

Place everything on the center of a table.

Give each toddler a plate and let them have at it.

I like to have my toddler donut parties outside so there is less mess in my house, but wherever you have room would work great. It’s also great to have a large amount of wet wipes on hand for easier clean up:)

COOKING WITH KIDS

You can easily have your kids help you make this apple donut party by picking out the spreads and toppings and placing them in bowls. Older kids can help to cut the apples with a child safe knife.

Overhead shot of the apple donut toppings

Get the recipe: DIY Toddler Apple Donut Party

5 stars (1 rating)
A fun and healthy party for your kids!

Ingredients 

  • Apples

Spreads

  • cream cheese plain, flavored or colored with a couple drops of food coloring
  • nutella I am using Trader Joes Cocoa Almond Spread
  • plain full-fat Greek Yogurt
  • Beech-Nut coldpress purees any flavor you kids love
  • ricotta cheese
  • almond or peanut butter

Toppings

  • chopped berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
  • chopped fruit kiwi, banana, pineapple, grapes, etc
  • Beech-Nut Yogurt or Fruit & Veggie Melties
  • favorite granola
  • sprinkles
  • candy coated sesame seeds
  • mini chocolate chips
  • shredded coconut
  • chopped Beech-Nut Quinoa Crispies
  • chopped nuts peanuts, cashews, almonds
  • hemp or sesame seeds
  • small crunchy cereal
  • dried fruit blueberries, strawberries, apricots, raisins, cranberries, larger dried fruit will have to be chopped

Instructions 

  • Place the apples slices onto a plate and the spreads and toppings into separate bowls.
  • Add spoons to each of the topping bowls and kid-friendly knives (spoons also work) in the spread bowls.
  • Place everything on the center of a table.
  • Give each toddler a plate and let them have at it.
Calories: 192kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 28mg, Potassium: 232mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 164IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg

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